Property Record
553 W JAMES ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | Farnham, Fred and Lucia, House |
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| Other Name: | |
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| Reference Number: | 3481 |
| Location (Address): | 553 W JAMES ST |
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| County: | Columbia |
| City: | Columbus |
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| Year Built: | 1867 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1996 |
| Historic Use: | house |
| Architectural Style: | Italianate |
| Structural System: | |
| Wall Material: | Cream Brick |
| Architect: | Richard D. Vanaken |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Farnham, Fred and Lucia, House |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 7/30/2009 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 4/17/2009 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, Division of Historic Preservation-Public History. ROUND ARCHED WINDOWS. THE WINDOWS ON THE NORTH ELEVATION HAVE ALWAYS BEEN BRICKED IN; THERE IS A FREE STANDING SPIRAL STAIRCASE BEHIND THEM. FARNHAM SETTLED HERE IN 1846 AT THE AGE OF 25 WITH ONLY A PROMISSORY NOTE OF $50.00 IN HIS POCKET. HE TRADED THIS FOR MERCHANDISE IN MILWAUKEE AND SET UP SHOP IN FRONT OF A LOG CABIN OWNED BY FRIENDS. HE LATER RAN A COMMISSION STORE AND GRAIN SHIPPING BUSINESS WHICH HIS PARTNER J.F. ALLEN RAN WHILE HE PURSUED LUMBER INTERESTS IN "THE PINERIES". HE OWNED THE FARNHAM BLOCK IN DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS AS WELL AS A WAREHOUSE WITH A HORSE OPERATED ELEVATOR NEAR THE DEPOT. "Fred F. Farnham settled here in 1846. He was 25 when he reached Wisconsin with only a promissory note of $50.00 in his pocket. He traded this for merchandise in Milwaukee and set up his wares in the front of a log cabin owned by some friends. His business savvy resulted in a very successful commission store and grain shipping business which he let his partner (J.F. Allen) run while he pursued lumber interests in "The Pineries". Farnham built the three story 'Farnham Block' downtown. He also owned a warehouse with an elevator operated by a single horse near the original depot. This residence is a fine example of the early Italianate Style, typified by a symmetrical two-story mass with widely overhanging eaves and tall, narrow round-arched windows. Its simplicity and the absence of ornate brackets and window hoods mark it as an early building. The small, matching porches tucked to either side of the central projection are typical of the style, as are the decorative bay windows of the front and side. The windows on the north side have always been bricked-in, placed there to balance the windows on that side of the house. A free standing spiral staircase is behind them." Columbus Historic Architecture Tours, undated. |
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| Bibliographic References: | COLUMBUS HISTORIC ARCHITECTURES TOURS, COLUMBUS HISTORIC LANDMARKS AND PRESERVATION COMMISSION, 1994. City of Columbus Real Estate Tax Rolls. Columbus Democrat: November 19, 1868, p. 1; December 17, 1868, p. 1. Stare, Frederick A. The Story of Columbus. Installment Nos. 148 and 149 (pp. 222-225). Columbus Historic Architecture Tours, undated. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |